University of the Ozarks junior midfielder MaKenna Piha sprints after a ball during preseason training this week. The Lady Eagles open the season Aug. 30 against Williams Baptist. (THE COURIER / Submitted)

CLARKSVILLE — The women’s soccer team opened preseason training over the weekend and Head Coach Bryan Drotar likes what he sees early on.

The Lady Eagles return nearly every starter for the 2013 campaign. The team’s top two goal scorers are back, and on defense, three-year starting defender Monica Seiler will patrol the backline. Goalkeeper Mary Eoff returns after starting 17 matches last season, but will be pushed by fellow sophomore Codie Freeman.

Sophomore forward Haley Gilliam produced a spectacular freshman season with six goals and one assist in 2012. Junior forward MaKenna Piha scored a pair of goals and contributed two assists.

After a few days of training, Drotar is pleased with his team’s progress.

“This has been a very exciting couple of days,” Drotar said. “Tactically, we have to come together, and I think we will be better on the attacking side and defending side this season. Our upperclassmen have come back prepared.”

Drotar also noted that his team has a good mix of players, including a strong freshmen class.

“We have been really young the past two seasons, but this year the team is a good mix,” he said.

“The junior class is beginning to develop into leaders and will be ready to go. And, we have four new players that will challenge for playing time on the field.”

The Lady Eagles will open the season Aug. 30 against Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge.

Alumni Golf Tournament on Sept. 20

University of the Ozarks will present its annual Alumni Golf Tournament on Sept. 20 at the Clarksville Country Club.

The two-person scramble will begin at 10 a.m. The cost is $65 for teams with their own golf cart and $80 for teams without a cart. A continental breakfast as well as lunch are included in the cost. At least one person on each team must be an either an Ozarks alumnus, student or employee.

Golfers who pre-pay can play one free round of golf at the club on any day from Sept. 16-19. The deadline to register for the tournament is Sept. 18. In case of a rainout, the tournament will take place on Sept. 27.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the tournament winners. All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the University of the Ozarks Alumni Association scholarship fund. For more information, please contact Pam Jones at 479-754-6568.

You may register by calling the Alumni Office at 479-979-1234 or online by visiting www.ozarks.edu.